The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

[redhawkman10]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Who the @#*! are you to make a judgment like that?

I saw two posts that called out Michigan's depth. I countered it. The media and coaches didn't see any problem during the preseason, and most cases the biggest question during the season was not that Michigan didn't have talent or depth, but why they weren't executing. So it is relevant.

They are also looking at filling their "depth" issues with their incoming class, so it is relevant.

Your last comment is just condescending conjecture.

Miami was also picked 4th and ran away with the league, so whats your point about the preseason polls??? Also your going to say Michigan doesn't have a lack of depth and they still finished 7th??? They didn't suffer injuries like ND, so what other answer is there? The issue was visible and still remains after their top two lines its a shaky line up. They, however, are playing really well and no one is going to take that away from them.

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Ditto. I haven't been around very long and have only been to the Joe once, but the only clear memories I have of JLA are from the Michigan-Miami final in 2008. As if the close 2-1 loss wasn't bad enough, I had to deal with the rudest and most obnoxious Michigan fans I have ever encountered. The best part? They were probably 10 years old and were being encouraged by their fathers to throw food at and taunt those of us in the Miami band. I got pelted in the head by ice cream balls all game and was instructed not to respond in any way because I was a "representative of the University."

I hope we can make those kids cry on Friday, but I'm definitely not overly-confident it will happen...

You should have asked us NMU fans that were just off to the right of you... We would have gladly put the little bastages in their place

 

[streaker]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Wow. Sounds like I hit a nerve. I wasn't really going for that. I guess I just get tired of hearing what the team was "supposed to be" or "going to be". I just like to call it like it is. This is a good hockey team right now. Like Berenson said before Saturday night's win "We are not gaining confidence in Hunwick, we are gaining it from him".

Conjecture.....maybe. I picked them to sweep LSSU and to beat my Spartans in 3 We'll see if I get this one right.

Fair enough.... but it's one thing for a bunch of hockey hacks like us to wax on about our team, it's another to have a somewhat credible source, like the coaches, to discuss where they think teams will rate- if they perform to the level of their talent.

To a person, Michigan fans will tell you that they underperformed with good talent all season. Why, during the playoffs all of a sudden, did they finally get it right?

Depth isn't the reason they stunk and it isn't the reason they have suddenly become dangerous. They may not beat Miami, but I think fans that saw Michigan get trucked in October by Miami, or get outplayed at home by NMU, or saw other horrid performances this season may be surprised by what confidence, mixed with talent and relentless, desperate effort on the ice will do.

Give credit to NMU, FSU and Miami for being hard working, relentless and driven to get to CCHA semi's, also. The talent on all four teams are abundant. Miami has the best depth and has executed the best, but certainly are not invincible. There is a fine line between these teams and a break or two may decide any of the games.

 

[nmupepbanddrummer]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Even as an NMU fan, I'm not EXPECTING them to win the whole thing...while yes, I would absolutely LOVE that, it's not something that is expected. I think playing Ferris is going to be tough, but I definitely see NMU winning that one. NMU is playing very hot right now and I think it's going to take a lot to beat the NMU team we saw last weekend, even for Miami. My predictions are as follows:

NMU-3 Ferris-1
Miami-4 UM-1
Ferris-3 UM-2 (last minute goal to win by Ferris)
Miami-2 NMU-1


Each one of those predictions are based on loose information I've sort of gathered over the season...I DO NOT claim to be super knowledgeable about this or anything.

GO NMU!!!

 

[streaker]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Miami was also picked 4th and ran away with the league, so whats your point about the preseason polls??? Also your going to say Michigan doesn't have a lack of depth and they still finished 7th??? They didn't suffer injuries like ND, so what other answer is there? The issue was visible and still remains after their top two lines its a shaky line up. They, however, are playing really well and no one is going to take that away from them.

Yeah, polls don't mean anything, but I put more credence into what coaches say than any of us. Michigan didn't lose extreme talent from last season except for Mitera (hurt all season) and Palushaj. The other graduating seniors were experienced, hard working pluggers, replaceable with the same type of talent. We're talking about a 25+win team.

You are confusing talent and depth with effort and execution, which is the difference between this year's team and say, last year's Michigan team.

Michigan doesn't have the same three or four line firepower as in the past. But, you are trying to compare them against your own team, a bonafide NCAA contender that no doubt has the best talent and depth in the league. Try comparing them to, say the Spartans, or Alaska, NMU, or Ferris. Tell me that they aren't similar in some ways to the strengths and/or weaknesses of those teams. Matter of fact, they finished 6-6-1 against those teams. No compelling reason to think that none of them were better or worse h2h. The only team they didn't beat that finished ahead of them was UNO and Miami. One is still playing and one isn't.

They finished 7th because six other teams worked harder and made their effort count better over the entire course of the season. Miami, in my estimation, was the only team Michigan didn't compete with this season, and that includes the rest of the CCHA (save the UNO massacre) as well as teams like BU and Wisconsin. It still doesn't mean that Michigan didn't have the talent or depth potential for a better finish. They just proved part of what they could be by sweeping State at Munn in the playoffs. It's a nice first step.

I hope your team underestimates them in the same manner.

 

[dankthetank]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

I'll just make it easy for everyone, and list every possible outcome for the weekend. Apparently when you work for the State of Alaska like my friend you have plenty of time to figure these things out while at work.

here is every single combination in the ccha for this weekend



1. FSU over NMU Miami over UMich / Miami over FSU NMU over UMich
2. FSU over NMU Miami over UMich / Miami over FSU UMich over NMU
3. FSU over NMU Miami over UMich / FSU over Miami NMU over UMich
4. FSU over NMU Miami over UMich / FSU over Miami UMich over NMU
5. FSU over NMU UMich over Miami / UMich over FSU Miami over NMU
6. FSU over NMU UMich over Miami / UMich over FSU NMU over Miami
7. FSU over NMU UMich over Miami / FSU over UMich Miami over NMU
8. FSU over NMU UMich over Miami / FSU over UMich NMU over Miami
9. FSU over NMU Miami over UMich / Miami over FSU UMich tie NMU
10. FSU over NMU Miami over UMich / FSU over Miami NMU tie UMich
11. FSU over NMU UMich over Miami / UMich over FSU Miami tie NMU
12. FSU over NMU UMich over Miami / FSU over UMich Miami tie NMU
13. NMU over FSU Miami over UMich / Miami over NMU FSU over UMich
14. NMU over FSU Miami over UMich / Miami over NMU UMich over FSU
15. NMU over FSU Miami over UMich / NMU over Miami FSU over UMich
16. NMU over FSU Miami over UMich / NMU over Miami UMich over FSU
17. NMU over FSU UMich over Miami / UMich over NMU Miami over FSU
18. NMU over FSU UMich over Miami / UMich over NMU FSU over Miami
19. NMU over FSU UMich over Miami / NMU over UMich Miami over FSU
20. NMU over FSU UMich over Miami / NMU over UMich FSU over Miami
21. NMU over FSU Miami over UMich / Miami over NMU FSU tie UMich
22. NMU over FSU Miami over UMich / NMU over Miami FSU tie UMich
23. NMU over FSU UMich over Miami / UMich over NMU Miami tie FSU
24. NMU over FSU UMich over Miami / NMU over UMich Miami tie FSU

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Yeah, polls don't mean anything, but I put more credence into what coaches say than any of us. Michigan didn't lose extreme talent from last season except for Mitera (hurt all season) and Palushaj. The other graduating seniors were experienced, hard working pluggers, replaceable with the same type of talent. We're talking about a 25+win team.

You are confusing talent and depth with effort and execution, which is the difference between this year's team and say, last year's Michigan team.

Michigan doesn't have the same three or four line firepower as in the past. But, you are trying to compare them against your own team, a bonafide NCAA contender that no doubt has the best talent and depth in the league. Try comparing them to, say the Spartans, or Alaska, NMU, or Ferris. Tell me that they aren't similar in some ways to the strengths and/or weaknesses of those teams. Matter of fact, they finished 6-6-1 against those teams. No compelling reason to think that none of them were better or worse h2h. The only team they didn't beat that finished ahead of them was UNO and Miami. One is still playing and one isn't.

They finished 7th because six other teams worked harder and made their effort count better over the entire course of the season. Miami, in my estimation, was the only team Michigan didn't compete with this season, and that includes the rest of the CCHA (save the UNO massacre) as well as teams like BU and Wisconsin. It still doesn't mean that Michigan didn't have the talent or depth potential for a better finish. They just proved part of what they could be by sweeping State at Munn in the playoffs. It's a nice first step.

I hope your team underestimates them in the same manner.

Miami won't underestimate anyone, as proven by what they have done. Its your job to defend your program and you are doing a good job. I am just speaking as an outsider that has seen Michigan play a lot this year. A season proves a lot and during the season Michigan proved they didn't have the depth and talent they did last year. Its like the old saying once can be a fluke, twice is an issue, and three times is a trend. I look at that as in months. First month of conference play I though of it as a fluke, then they didn't turn it around and I saw it as an issue, and then the third on when they didn't respond when they needed to it was a trend that they didn't have what it takes. It's ok, it happens as Michigan st. I don't think differently about Michigans program, but you aren't going to convince me other wise because the body of work is in. With that said, Michigan is playing extremely well and guys are stepping up. Looks like it took the loss of their starting goaltender for that to happen but it did happen. I still think they are a formidable opponent and will be a tough out, but they just don't scare me like they have in years past.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Yeah, polls don't mean anything, but I put more credence into what coaches say than any of us. Michigan didn't lose extreme talent from last season except for Mitera (hurt all season) and Palushaj. The other graduating seniors were experienced, hard working pluggers, replaceable with the same type of talent. We're talking about a 25+win team.

Answer me this, if you put so much credence into what they think you aren't high on Miami either? There is also something to be said for experience and when you lose it it can make a big difference as it obviously has. Things will be different next year with the experience that was gained this season. But maybe they just don't have the same type of talent that they lost last year and thought they did have. If they did have it they wouldn't of finished 7th, just saying. Not to mention if the whole season the problem was effort and execution that is a coaching problem and would be extremely upset with that being the fact more so than lack of talent.

 

[davyd83]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

I had to deal with the rudest and most obnoxious Michigan fans I have ever encountered. The best part? They were probably 10 years old and were being encouraged by their fathers to throw food at and taunt those of us in the Miami band. I got pelted in the head by ice cream balls all game and was instructed not to respond in any way because I was a "representative of the University."

True class, don't you think?

 

[alnike]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Also your going to say Michigan doesn't have a lack of depth and they still finished 7th??? They didn't suffer injuries like ND, so what other answer is there? The issue was visible and still remains after their top two lines its a shaky line up. They, however, are playing really well and no one is going to take that away from them.

Michigan had injuries in 08-09 with a decimated defense as Captain Mark Mitera basically missed the entire season (33 games), Kampfer missed 16 games and Burlon was out for 8 games, all simultaneously. M overcame this and finished 2nd.

Michigan's 3rd line isn't too bad, it's physical and has ROY candidate Chris Brown with 13 goals, 27 points (plus 2 more disallowed goals) and Brian Lebler with 12 goals and 21 points. They have been key contributors this season.

Its 4th line is a weakness, but that's probably the same for many teams.

Why did Michigan struggle so much this year....
Outside of the teams lust for taking undisciplined and untimely penalties, both Caporusso and Hogan were the key drivers in 2008-09 that underperformed in 2009-10.

Caporusso has now just returned to his sophomore form and that coincides with the recent team's performance. He had 24-25=49 in 08-09 over 40 games. Caporusso has as many points in his last 13 games as he did in the first 28 games this season to get near 1 ppg for the season.

David Wolhlberg is allegedly battling a back injury from last season and he was down from his 15-15=30 freshman totals. He is now gaining confidence and executing on breakaways, instead of running the goalie.

Brian Hogan posted a 2008-09 GAA of 1.97 and Save % of 91.7. That
dipped to 2.33 gaa and save % of 90%.

Michigan's depth also decreased when Robbie Czarnik left for the OHL. He could be on the second line with Louie and Wohlberg. But Czarnik left for Plymouth of the OHL and has registered 49 points in 43 games.

 

[MOJO]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Just made my hotel reservations and returned from vacation. I still have money left in my pockets and my liver is doing well!!! Go Cats Go!!! Time for The Show!!!

This is the year NMU clears that 11 year hurdle. I don't care how they do it although I hope see a banner hanging in Detroit for the next 12 months...it is bad enough the CCHA doesn't even hang an NMU banner in the RenCen during the weekend party...

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Michigan had injuries in 08-09 with a decimated defense as Captain Mark Mitera basically missed the entire season (33 games), Kampfer missed 16 games and Burlon was out for 8 games, all simultaneously. M overcame this and finished 2nd.

Michigan's 3rd line isn't too bad, it's physical and has ROY candidate Chris Brown with 13 goals, 27 points (plus 2 more disallowed goals) and Brian Lebler with 12 goals and 21 points. They have been key contributors this season.

Its 4th line is a weakness, but that's probably the same for many teams.

Why did Michigan struggle so much this year....
Outside of the teams lust for taking undisciplined and untimely penalties, both Caporusso and Hogan were the key drivers in 2008-09 that underperformed in 2009-10.

Caporusso has now just returned to his sophomore form and that coincides with the recent team's performance. He had 24-25=49 in 08-09 over 40 games. Caporusso has as many points in his last 13 games as he did in the first 28 games this season to get near 1 ppg for the season.

David Wolhlberg is allegedly battling a back injury from last season and he was down from his 15-15=30 freshman totals. He is now gaining confidence and executing on breakaways, instead of running the goalie.

Brian Hogan posted a 2008-09 GAA of 1.97 and Save % of 91.7. That
dipped to 2.33 gaa and save % of 90%.

Michigan's depth also decreased when Robbie Czarnik left for the OHL. He could be on the second line with Louie and Wohlberg. But Czarnik left for Plymouth of the OHL and has registered 49 points in 43 games.

All valid points, but that more or less proves my point. The guys that came back haven't done what was expected and they don't have enough depth to pick up the slack like in years past. Wohlberg and Caporusso were counted on to be big time contributers and they didn't get it done. The depth was exposed when the team struggled without those two contributing what they thought they would do. I don't think Hogan struggling has much to do with it, Sauer was less than stellar in his career and Michigan was fine.

 

[UMICHhockeyRULZ]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

This is merely speculation but I'm thinking the majority of Michigan's problems this year stemmed directly from Hogan. I'm not talking about the periodic soft goal he let in, rather his attitude. I think he was putting everything on his own shoulders. He wanted to win every game 1-0. It is my assumption that the team saw his attitude and sub-consciously didn't play as hard, hustle back on D, back-check, etc.

Let's be honest, Hunwick is a somewhat servcieable goalie but he isn't as good as Hogan. The team likes Shawn more and they feel that he needs more help on the D-end whereas whenever the other team took the puck into Michigan's zone with Hogan in net they assumed he was going to make the save. With Shawn back there they feel a sense of urgency to help out and that makes better defense.

Thus Michigan is a team with Shawn in goal but with Hogan in net Michigan is just several individuals.

 

[burdy]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

Let's just man up and make some predictions.

NMU handles FSU 4-1
Miami takes out UM 5-3
FSU drops Mich 6-2
NMU beats Miami 2-1


NMU fans get the NMU Banner at the Ren

I find it hard to believe that some crazy fan will get the NMU banner from the Ren Center. What would make you say such a thing?

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

All that matters is Friday. Win on Friday.

One game at a time.

Friday. Then go from there.

Yes. This.

I find it hard to believe that some crazy fan will get the NMU banner from the Ren Center. What would make you say such a thing?

... the fact that it has happened multiple times, perhaps?

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

This is merely speculation but I'm thinking the majority of Michigan's problems this year stemmed directly from Hogan. I'm not talking about the periodic soft goal he let in, rather his attitude. I think he was putting everything on his own shoulders. He wanted to win every game 1-0. It is my assumption that the team saw his attitude and sub-consciously didn't play as hard, hustle back on D, back-check, etc.

Let's be honest, Hunwick is a somewhat servcieable goalie but he isn't as good as Hogan. The team likes Shawn more and they feel that he needs more help on the D-end whereas whenever the other team took the puck into Michigan's zone with Hogan in net they assumed he was going to make the save. With Shawn back there they feel a sense of urgency to help out and that makes better defense.

Thus Michigan is a team with Shawn in goal but with Hogan in net Michigan is just several individuals.

Well if that is actually the case, then Michigan has bigger problems than talent....

 

[nmu_27]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

... the fact that it has happened multiple times, perhaps?

The NMU decal from the elevator was gone before I even arrived last year.

 

[burdy]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

The NMU decal from the elevator was gone before I even arrived last year.

********. Can't believe it.

 

[davyd83]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

I find it hard to believe that some crazy fan will get the NMU banner from the Ren Center. What would make you say such a thing?

You'd have needed the Ocean's 11 to get the banner last year!

 

[davyd83]

Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU

********. Can't believe it.

I can.